Formally Recognized:
1990/05/24

Other Name(s)

Links and documents

Construction Date(s)

Listed on the Canadian Register:
2007/03/02

Statement of Significance

Description of Historic Place

The Southwest Bastion is a low circular tower with a medium-pitched conical roof and forms part of the defensive perimeter of Lower Fort Garry. It is constructed of stone, with simple window openings and a rectangular wood door. The designation is confined to the footprint of the building.

Heritage Value

The Southwest Bastion is a Recognized Federal Heritage Building because of its historical associations, and its architectural and environmental value.

Historical ValueThe Southwest Bastion is associated with the garrisoning of troops for defense of the western fur trade and with the consolidation of the fur trade at the fort. Its construction occurred in response to concerns about a possible American invasion in the 1840s.

Architectural ValueThe Southwest Bastion is a good example of functional 19th century military defence design. Its low, circular, tower form, used for wall bastions at the fort, distinguishes it. In keeping with its role as part of the fort’s defense system, the building has stocky proportions and a scale that is dictated by the fort’s wall height.

Environmental ValueThe Southwest Bastion reinforces the military character of its fort setting at Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site. The fort is defined by the perimeter walls and bastions, within which all buildings have a cohesive design and visual unity. In forming part of the fort wall, the Bastion is familiar as part of the defensive perimeter seen by visitors.

Character-Defining Elements

The character-defining elements of the Southwest Bastion should be respected, for example:

Its functional, military design and quality craftsmanship, for example:

-The large massing and circular plan of the building.-The medium-pitched conical roof with two gabled dormers and three chimneys.-The stone walls, wood shingle roof and dormer siding.-The simple rectangular wood door and the window openings.

The manner in which the Southwest Bastion reinforces the military character of its Fort setting and is a familiar building at Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site, as evidenced by:

-The structure’s specialized military design, scale and proportion dictated by the fort’s wall height, reinforces the military character of its setting.-The structure’s role as part of the defensive perimeter that makes it a familiar building to visitors to Lower Fort Garry National Historic Site.